A day at the park

Natania (2 yrs. 8 months)















Throwing rocks













Claire (17 months)














Trying to get a "girls" shot.

check this link out:

http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/flat4.asp?id=6909

this video is really cool. I am now an official supporter of Dove Products.

We are back in the states and readjusting to life in Southern California. (If that previous post didn’t already imply that). Our transition has been good but harder than we expected. Partially that is because we really didn’t have many expectations that it would be hard. I think it had something to do with the whole, “we’re MK’s, and we’ve already gone through this. I stood paralyzed in the cereal aisle when I was thirteen; I’m not going to do that again!” Well so far I haven’t had a crisis in a grocery store but I’m still surprised that I have felt different feelings of true culture shock! It’s a good humbling experience. If you know any MK’s you know that we are a breed that has a high level of self pride in our “culture awareness.” And so to go through this experience has once again shown me that I am not special and immune to the same issues that “everyone else” goes through!

As for Natania and Claire, they didn’t skip a beat reconnecting with their grandparents. When Natania first saw Grandma Sherry she ran to her and said, “can I go swimming in your pool?!” We had been telling Natania that she would get to swim at Grandma Sherry’s house so that she would have something concrete to think about when we told her that we were coming back to “America.” I know that they don’t totally understand what has happened. We still talk with Natania about the people we miss in Macedonia. Maja, Vesna, Auntie Heather, Whitney, Heather, Katelyn, Aunt Nadine, Uncle Andy, Alex, … the list goes on. While Natania does have a limited understanding, Claire is totally oblivious. She is her usual coy, sweet self. Her hardest adjustment so far has been the nursery at church!

We are excited to be here even if we’ve had re-acclimate ourselves to some of southern California’s unique culture! Please pray for us that we would continue to settle in to life here and honor God through this process!

I made it to and out of Target. Well, I should say that our bank account made it out still alive after being bombarded with lots of appealing “needs”. Oh those sandals are so cute-I know I already have a pair of flip flops, but those are so much cuter… oh look at that clearance rack over there, I really should go take a look, maybe I’ll find a great deal! By the way, what happened to the style since I’ve been gone? It’s like we can’t make up our mind between tight eighties and flowing seventies—maybe that’s the point—we can’t come up with anything new so we’ll just blend styles to get a new look. Ok, So I can resist the clearance rack for now; or maybe it’s just that I’m going to need a little time for the current trends to wear off of me. J But man, all this pressure to buy, buy, buy. I’m not used to feeling this struggle so acutely in my heart!

Ok, so all that to say I did give in, I bought Natania the cutest little dress shoes—she’s going to need a pair now that we’re going to church right? They were so sweet! But don’t worry, they were on sale!

Claire is One!

Claire had her first birthday at the end of May! We celebrated as a family on Tuesday the 22nd, and then had a little party for her here at the house on Friday. Natania was so excited about her birthday, she sang Happy Birthday to her all week long. Claire is such a sweet girl. We are so grateful to have her in our family. So, for those of you who don't know Claire very well right now, I'll try to describe a little what she is like. One of her best attributes is her great smile, her whole face gets involved! She like to sing and clap her hands, her favorite song is "slippery fish" and she'll put her hands to her cheeks and say "oh no" with the song. I think she is going to be a gentle, compassionate child because she can sit looking at book with paper pages (as opposed to cardboard) and she doesn't rip them out or crinkle them -Something that Natania was always doing. We were playing a game the other night with cards and Claire was just content to sit in my lap and hold and shuffle some cards. She likes to be tickled although not quite as much as Natania. When she gets really excited/upset about something she'll try to bite whatever's in reach. (you can ask Natania, she's already got several marks to prove it!) Some of Claire's favorite foods are whole wheat pancakes, black beans, bananas, and anything sweet! If you say "Hello" she'll put whatever toy she's holding up to her ear as though it is a telephone. She can give kisses (leans forward with open mouth). Claire is a little on the shy side, she doesn't like to go to people if she can see her mommy close by, unless you have food to bribe her! It is hard to believe that she was 4 months old when we left, she has changed so much. We can't wait for everyone to get to know our little one year old soon.

Seven Layer Bars

Submitted by: Patty Tindall Rated: 5 out of 5 by 132 members

Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 25 Minutes

Ready In: 40 Minutes Yields: 36 servings

"Easy to make and very rich. Can use different kinds of chips (vanilla or peanut butter) to suit your taste."

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup butterscotch chips

1 cup chopped walnuts 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk 1 1/3 cups shredded coconut

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2.	Place butter in 13 x 9 inch pan and melt in oven. Swirl to coat bottom and sides with butter.
3.	SMix crumbs and buter in a bowl then press into bottom of pan. Layer chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and nuts over crumbs. Pour condensed milk over nuts. Sprinkle coconut over condensed milk.
4.	Bake until edges are golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool.

My notes: Hm... they were so good. I followed the recipe except we can't get graham crackers here so i used a "close" friend of the graham and did 50/50 cracker crumbs and pretzels! Very good combo! I also didn't use quite as much coconut as called for.

As you can see from the video clip below, our little Claire has sprouted wings and begun to crawl! In a little over a week she has already picked up a lot of speed! She is now pulling herself up on the couches and she also enjoys being "walked" about the room. Not too long before she'll be doing it by herself. Which by the way is one of Natania's new favorite phrases. "I need do it by myself mommy." I thought I was somehow going evade this stage with Natania, that we'd just pass over this common toddler struggle for independence. But alas, no, even sweet little Natania is reaching for her autonomy. Please pray for my patience as I let her grow and that I’d have wisdom with when to reign in her self sufficiency! She really is a lot of fun, some of her favorite things to do are... well hold on, she wants to tell you herself!

-"Help" mommy in kitchen. Translation: kneel on the stepstool, eat a snack and play with kitchen utensils while mommy tries cook and relax if a little extra mess is made with the added "help"

-Go for a walk around the neighborhood. Translation: push Claire in the stroller "all by myself" and run to mommy if a car comes saying. "hold mommy's hand, i don't be afraid!"

-Watch "Little people movie" (self explanatory... except that this is when mommy tries to hurry and make dinner without the "extra help!")

-Take a bath. my favorite part is at the end when Daddy sometimes turns on the shower and sprays me with cold water and I squeal with delight and say "again! more!"

-Play hide and go seek. Translation: I run to a hiding spot and then turn around and run back out. I'm starting to learn to actually stay in my spot until I’m found!

-Play at a playground. Translation: this is very exciting for me. I get very happy when mommy tells me we're going to the playground because we don't have any by our house. We have to drive at least 10 minutes. But my favorite one is further away down in the center of town because there, the teeter toddler is not broken and they actually have swings i can sit in by myself. (without falling off). I also love slides!

-Go see the river. Translation: go walk up the river that flows through town and say. "Dirty river, no go in river. that's dangerous." mommy is trying to teach me to say "nice river" because she's embarrassed that i say "dirty river"... but i don't know why...i'm pretty sure i heard mommy and daddy say that!

-Go to McDonalds. Translation: eat "toast" (which is McDonald's grilled cheese here) and french fries... I love french fries!!!

-Sing! Translation: Watch the video clip!

On the Menu

"On the Menu" is a new series dedicated to my favorite recipes that I have recently made and photographed. This is one of my favorite cookie recipes! Hope you enjoy.

Henry and Maudie's Oatmeal Cookies
INGREDIENTS:

1 cup sifted whole wheat flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 egg 1/4 cup water 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 cups rolled oats

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Stir together the whole wheat flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.
2.	In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the egg,

	water and vanilla. Mix in the flour mixture, then stir in the oats. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets. Cookies should be about 2 inches apart.
3.	Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from baking sheets to cool on wire racks.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2007 Allrecipes.com

Date Night

Tonight Natania, Claire and I went out on a little outing. We didn’t get out yesterday or today and so I decided to go get ice-cream. Macedonians have this idea that eating something cold like ice-cream in the winter is bad for your health, so most restaurants and stores don’t stock it or serve it during these “chilly” months. There is however an ice cream parlor at the big mall in the center of town and so, feeling a little adventurous and stir crazy, I decided not to take a taxi but to find it myself with my co-worker/neighbor’s car. I’ve of course been there before but never behind the wheel myself!

After a few wrong turns that adjusted our 15-20 minute jaunt into a 25-30 minute trip, we pulled into a tight spot (parallel parked!) on the curb. If I had parked in this same spot in the states, I would have received dirty looks and probably a ticket for my audacity to leave my vehicle where I did, but thank goodness, those rules don’t apply here! Otherwise I would have spent another 10 minutes driving around the squished “parking lot” looking for a legitimate spot!

I slid Claire into the sling and gave Natania strict warnings about needing to hold my hand and obey Mommy while we were out. We stepped in the mall and I realized at once what a novelty I was. To paint the picture for you: Young single woman, two “babies,” a sling… most women here don’t have children until their 30’s and if they have more than one child they definitely don’t have them close together, 6 years is the desirable distance between siblings. As for the sling, let’s just say I think mine is the sole representative of its kind here in this country! It’s been a while since I’ve attracted so much attention. It took me back to my days in Asia where there was no hiding the fact that I wasn’t a national, and everyone stares openly at foreigners. Here, with my light skin, dark hair and brown eyes, I can blend in quite well as a Macedonian (as long as I keep my mouth shut!).

At “Palma’s” we sat in the “non-smoking” section, which I don’t think really exists, everyone here smokes and so if there is a non-smoking section, it’s just one or two tables in the middle or off to the side of all the smoking tables! I ordered two scoops of ice-cream for us to share and a cappuccino as a treat for me. Natania wanted to try mommy’s coffee but I didn’t want to risk her not being able to sleep due to the caffeine boost. (I’m sure the sugar in the ice-cream was already taking care of that!) Natania enjoyed her ice-cream and … so did Claire (yes, it’s true I guess I have relaxed my standards a little). After ice-cream we rode the escalator up and down four times because Natania was having so much fun. Then Natania helped me pick out a pair of earrings at a little silver jewelry stall. Lastly we got one of those big shopping carts that has a little car for your toddler to sit in the front and “drive” (another fun treat for Natania) and I picked up a few items at Ram Store; the largest grocery store here and more importantly; the only one with little cars!

We had a lot of fun tonight and mostly I think it was because I took great joy in my daughter’s joy. It’s hard to put into words, but Natania was so happy to be out with her mommy. On the way home, I told her that we had gone on a “date” and tried to explain the concept to her in toddler vocabulary. She told me that she wanted “do date again mommy?” And she also got very excited when I told her that she could go on a date with Daddy too.

I’ve been spending a lot of time recently with my two daughters and it can be a temptation to lose sight of the bigger picture. These are two precious little girls that God has entrusted to me for a time. Tonight I was blessed with a beautiful little occasion that has helped me to reflect on God’s goodness to me. I thank the Lord for the delight that I am experiencing being Natania and Claire’s mother. It truly is a privilege to raise these little girls.

Our trip to Stobi

As a follow up from several inquiries about Natania's experience with the battery; first, it is (with a little poetic license) a totally true account. Secondly, we are sad to say that Mr. Button Battery no longer has the energy in him to perform his duties. (He did try to resume life as normal in the calculator, but alas, the spark has left him!)

The Problem of Having Chosen the Common Macedonian Name “Darko” for Daryl

(Telephone Rings)

Daryl: “Ahllo”

Caller: “Ahllo, Darko?”

Daryl: “Yes”

Caller: “Darko?”

Daryl: “Yes!”

Caller: “Darko??”

Daryl: “Da!” (“Yes!” in Macedonian)

Caller: (Click – hangs up)

Today's Feature

Journal entry from Mr. Button Battery

It is not every day that one gets to leave their boring life encased in a calculator, sheltered from the world, and ignorant of life beyond… Tuesday, January 9^th, 2007 was just such a day for me! Ever since I was born in Shanghai and placed in that calculator, I have often wished I could have a more exciting life… to see the Pyramids, the Great Wall, Niagra Falls… instead I have lived in this dark tomb, shielded from the world and it’s wonders.

I should have seen it coming; there have been a few times that those chubby fingers have felt my smooth shiny surface, but on that day, her curiosity would only be satisfied to experience me with another one of her senses. While her mother’s back was turned fixing lunch, she slipped me into her mouth, rolled me around with her tongue and then all the lights went out and I felt myself plummet down, down, until...SPLISH! Chunks of kiwi, grilled cheese, walnuts, soon joined me in the pool.

I heard a muffled voice outside, “Natania, where did the battery go?” … silence… “Natania, do you see this calculator? Where is the battery? Is it in your shoe? Yes Did you eat it? Yes” The woman’s voice was calm, as she spoke again, “I don’t think she ate it… she’s never done anything like that!” A man’s voice responded, “This could be very serious, maybe we should take her to get X-rays!” After some deliberation they decided my fate. I was on slow track out of there. This wasn’t really what I had in mind for an adventure of exploring the wonders of the world. I began to miss the refuge of my dry, snug slot in the back of the calculator…

I'm leaving out the gory details of the remainder of my journey over these past 72 hours. Needless to say, after two fruitless searches for the mom, the dad got the honors on the third diaper change. He found me after what must have been a stomach churning experience! Third times a charm! Freedom at last! I’m grateful to be in one piece, out of that stuffy place where I’ve seen things I never wanted to or hope to see again!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…

The snow if falling fast—we’ve lingered at the window, watching it come down and sticking our hands out into the cold to try and catch a flake! Natania likes seeing it fall. Hopefully it will stick and Natania can enjoy going outside to play in the snow; a first for her!

We may get a white Christmas this year after all, since according to the Orthodox calendar, Christmas is this Sunday, Jan. 7^th. Macedonia still hasn’t celebrated it yet. To stay in the spirit with our neighbors, we’ve still got our tree up and Christmas music playing through the house!

I just walked away from the window for a few minutes, and now it has stopped snowing! Well I guess that shows how little I know about snow and the weather. Maybe I was a little too quick with all my good ideas of building snowmen in our back yard… now if we were in Colorado right now…

Well, I can still enjoying sitting by my window with or without the snowflakes falling from the overcast skies. I’ve got a couple of freshly baked banana, walnut, chocolate chip cookies and a steaming cup of PJ tips black tea. Not to mention both girls are down for their naps—at the same time! Ah, a few minutes of peace. I don’t know what I would do without nap time (the girls nap time that is). Having a little time to myself every day is what keeps me sane! Thank you Lord!

The purpose

After much contemplation, I have finally decided to try my hand at this whole on-line journal thing. I'm wary of setting myself up for failure, but I’m going to at least try and consistently post entries with occasional pictures as well. I have resisted the idea of keeping a blog because of my worry over not being creative and witty and that readers will be disappointed with my entries. In fact it would probably be good for me from the beginning to give up any notion or expectation that this will be anything more than the usual "family updates" etc. type blog. With so many options out there today in this cyber world, if you choose to read this it won't be for the deep thoughts or clever remarks but because you care about our family and want to know what is going on in our lives. So, I guess that is the purpose of this blog, it's good for me to write that out! I hope you enjoy!